Thanksgiving As A Way Of Life Not Just A Holiday
Ps. 26, 2 Cor. 9
INTRO: Every good holiday or observance has been subjected to a lot of commercialization. Why should thanksgiving be any different? Or should I say "Turkey Day." Let us not get carried away with all the fixings and trimmings and ignore the need for thanksgiving in our lives. Let us not forget the One who we should give thanks.
What is thanksgiving? How should we do so?
I think thanksgiving should be given naturally - like it is part of us and we do so all the time.
It should be done repeatedly - in other words - a lot!
It should come graciously from the depths of our heart.
It should not be done routinely, but thoughtfully, along with much reflection.
It should be given unselfishly, not with any thoughts of return or gain.
And…
It should be given politely (like a little child) with reverence and awe.
Let us read from…
Psalms 26:1 - 12
1
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.3
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.4
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.5
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.6
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.8
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.9
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:10
In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.11
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.12
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
When we look at this passage, we see…
God sees into our very depths of our soul - Ps. 26
Knows our intents
Knows our deeds
Knows our wants
Knows our desires
Knows where we stand - vs. 12
Knows our thanksgiving
The Psalmist wrote…
Psalms 68:19 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah
Psalms 119:62 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Thanksgiving is more than all that comes with the fourth Thursday of November.
It is more than just reflection on our blessings, more than just a small (or large) prayer, more than wishing people a good time, more than just being with our families…It is…
Living right for the Lord - (26:1b) …I shall not slide.
Being found "worthy" (only in Christ) - 2
Letting others know of His goodness - vs. 7
Bragging continually on His wondrous works
Loving His House and the worship we give to Him- vs. 8
Being true to Him and true to family (in the process)
2 Corinthians 9:1 - 15
1
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:2
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.3
Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:4
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.5
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.6
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:9
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.10
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)11
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;13
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;14
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
One of the greatest signs of real thanksgiving, is our actions especially…
Caring for the Lord's work and His servants - 2 Cor. 9
Consistently giving to help others from the heart
Continually planning for the successes of His work vs. 5
Expectantly giving (not for self-glory but expecting God to bless our efforts and gifts.
Giving for all time. (understand, like some of the Corinthian's gifts that have grown through the ages - OUR GIFTS WILL GO BEFORE US???)
Col. 3:17 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
When we raise our voices in thanksgiving we…
Summon in our heart thanks
As it…
Spills over into our chest
And it…
Swells into our throat
And..
Spews freely from our lips
Which become…
Sounds that are vibrant and beautiful in God's in our ears
Which when we listen to them they…
Stir our innermost being
And God knows we…
Mean thank you Lord for all you are and all you do
There is nothing wrong with saying thank you Lord when others hear, when we are only saying thanks, not saying look at what I have!
But we need to understand, getting alone with God, reflecting upon the blessings He has provided, and simply saying thank you Lord, is truly right!
Psalms 100:1 - 5 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.3
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Colossians 1:12 - 14 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 112507am - first used 112402am